The hoganstand.com Meath Senior Football Championship swings into action this weekend.

Rathkenny v Seneschalstown Friday at 8pm in Skryne. Referee Cormac Reilly

These two always throw up a very entertaining game of football. The former kingpins struggled last year but this years team shows a good mixture of youth and seasoned campaigners. The Sheridans, Bryan Clarke and the returned Stephen Finnegan along with players from last years successful Junior B championship winning team will make the Yellow Furze men a force to be reckoned with.

Rathkenny will once again look to Brian Meade, Donal Keogan, Ivan Lenihan, James Macken, Caolach Halligan and Thomas McGuinness to pull them through. Remember that 2013 senior football championship quarter final when Rathkenny turned over favourites Seneschalstown 0-14 to 1-10 at Pairc Tailteann.

Rathkenny have been showing good league form to date sharing top spot in Division 2 with three wins and one defeat while Seneschalstown have struggled so far in Division 1 with one win from four outings.

Match odds - Rathkenny 10/11 Draw 13/2 Seneschalstown 11/10

Outright odds - Rathkenny 66/1 Seneschalstown 20/1

Verdict: A draw

Skryne v Blackhall Gaels Friday at 8pm in Duleek. Referee Liam O'Brien

Skryne's championship form has dipped in the last few years. A quarter-final loss to O'Mahonys in 2014 and Dunshaughlin's great comeback last year at the preliminary quarter final stage ended their championship aspirations. Once again the Tara men will look to county men Paddy O'Rourke, Harry Rooney and Mark Battersby along with Conor O'Brien, Darragh Campion and Paddy Fox for inspiration.

Blackhall Gaels struggled last season in the senior grade. A win over relegated Walterstown was enough to preserve their top flight status. Alan Nestor's transfer to Kerry will be a major blow to the Gaels and they will be hoping that Donnacha Tobin will be fit after picking up an injury last Sunday in Meath's FL win over Laois. The Batterstown Kilcloon combination still have some fine footballers in Dermot Carty, Sean Whelan, Mark Ferris, Tadgh Brosnan, John Kelly and Johnny Meyler to call on.

Their league form has been similar with both recording two wins out of four games. Skryne operating out of Division 1 and Blackhall Division 2. Last time out Blackhall travelled to Ballinabrackey and came away with a 1-5 to 0-7 win while Skryne shipped a 1-12 to 0-8 defeat to Duleek Bellewstown.

Match odds - Skryne 2/5 Draw 15/2 Blackhall Gaels 9/4

Outright odds - Skryne 16/1 Blackhall Gaels 33/1

Verdict: Skryne

Simonstown v Wolfe Tones Saturday at 4.30pm in Pairc Tailteann. Referee Colm McManus

Nothing beats a local derby to kick off the championship season. They don't come much bigger than this one. Simonstown and Wolfe Tones should throw up one of the games of the round.

Once again Simonstown are tipped by many to land the hoganstand.com sponsored championship. Colm O'Rourke's charges made a disappointing exit last year losing to Na Fianna in the final group game by a point. The injured Padraig McKeever and Shane O'Rourke will be hugh losses but the Gaels still possess a squad that are quite capable of going the distance. Sean Tobin has been in fine form for Meath seniors while they also have talented players in Conor Sheridan, Seamus Kenny, Joe Lyons and Michael Brennan.

Wolfe Tones also have a squad that are capable of winning the senior football championship. Gaeil Colmcille stunned the 2006 Keegan Cup winners at the quarter final stage last year in Pairc Tailteann. With the calibre of the McLoughlins, Wards, Colemans, Sheppards, Harringtons and O'Reilly's along with players from successful U21 and minor teams from the past two years the Tones are a very potent force.

Simonstown have shown some form in the league with two wins out of four outings but Wolfe Tones prop up Division 1 with zero points and four games played but as always league form will go out the window especially in a local championship clash.

Match odds - Simonstown 4/5 Draw 13/2 Wolfe Tones 5/4

Outright odds - Simonstown 12/1 Wolfe Tones 16/1

Verdict: Wolfe Tones

Dunshaughlin v Na Fianna Saturday at 6.00pm in Trim. Referee Patrick Coyle

Dunshaughlin and Na Fianna should provide a very entertaining contest. Both clubs will fancy their chances of a place in the knock out stages.

2015 Division 1 League winners Dunshaughlin have assembled a fine squad over the past few years. Experienced campaigners like Mick Aherne, Niall Murphy, Tadhg O Dushlaine, John Crimmins, Ray Maloney, Trevor Dowd, Fergus Toolan and Cathal O'Dwyer along with Danny Quinn, Shane Gallogly and Ben Duggan will give Na Fianna plenty of problems in Lomans Park.

Na Fianna have struggled to find the form they showed towards the latter part of 2015 when they surprised many by getting to their second senior football championship final. The Baconstown Enfield combination didn't get going that wet day in Pairc Tailteann against O'Mahony's but they still possess the core of those two teams. Shane Geraghty, John Baldwin, Christy Cosgrave, Michael Farley, Ollie Lewis, Daniel Queeney, Conor Downey, Dalton McDonagh and Jamie Queeney will have a big say on the outcome in Trim.

Both teams operate out of Division 1 in the league. Na Fianna's form has been poor with one win from four games while Dunshaughlin are third from the top on five points. Na Fianna's only win came in their last round with a 5-11 to 3-11 victory over Wolfe Tones, Dalton McDonagh bagged four goals that day, while Dunshaughlin defeated Duleek Bellewstown 3-15 to 2-8.

Match odds - Na Fianna 1/2 Draw 7/1 Dunshaughlin 15/8

Outright odds - Na Fianna 15/2 Dunshaughlin 40/1

Verdict: Dunshaughlin

St Peters Dunboyne v Duleek/Bellewstown Saturday at 6.00pm in Ratoath. Referee Joey Curley

The bookies will tell you that this will be a one sided affair but Duleek Bellewstown are always good for an upset or two.

These two met at the same stage of the championship last year with Dunboyne winning with ease 1-16 to 1-4 at Ashbourne. A very workmanlike performance against Rathkenny saw Graham Geraghty's charges take an important two points in Simonstown. Safety in the senior grade was guaranteed with a brilliant comeback draw with Summerhill in round 4 at Ratoath. Once again the boys in Green and Gold will look to Mark Collins, Kevin McCann, John Flood, Padraig Howard, Conall McGinley, Anthony Burke and Brian Moore to provide the inspiration.

Over the past two season manager Conor Donoghue has assembled a fine St Peters squad. The Dunboyne outfit more than troubled Navan O'Mahonys in last year's semi-final and with a little more experience they could have pushed on for the win in those final five minutes at Pairc Tailteann. They have been showing signs in the past two years that they are ready to launch a serious bid for the Keegan Cup - Division 1 winners 2014, finalists in 2015 and throw in a MFC and an appearance in a JFC final. Dunboyne have a wealth of talent at their exposal. Stephen Moran, Jason Daly, Donal Lenihan, David McEntee, Shane Comiskey, Cathal Finn, Ger Robinson, Johnny O'Connor., Gerry Gallagher, Sean McGarrell, Shane McEntee, Craig Lowndes, Conor Doran, Andy Markey, Michael Dunne, David Gallagher and Ronan Jones are just a few names that roll off the tongue.

St Peter's league form will show that they have played four games and have won one loss one and drew two while Duleek Bellewstown are two points further down the table with just the one win from four outings, that win coming in the opening round against Skryne.

Match odds - Dunboyne 1/4 Draw 9/1 Duleek Bellewstown 10/3

Outright odds - Dunboyne 14/1 Duleek Bellewstown 100/1

Verdict: Dunboyne

Ballinlough v Gaeil Colmcille Sunday at 4.00pm in Pairc Tailteann. Referee David Gough

In terms of local derby's they don't come much better that this. Ballinlough and the Gaeils should attract a large crowd to Pairc Tailteann.

Both teams gained promotion from the Intermediate ranks in recent years Gaeil Colmcille in 2013 and Ballinlough a year later.

Gaeil Colmcille enjoyed a memorable run in last year's senior championship. Despite an opening round loss to Dunshaughlin Lar Wall's charges went on an unbeaten run all the way to the semi-final. To complete a great year the Gaeils also won the Division 2 FL and the Feis Cup. Barry Tormay, Brian Hanlon, Michael Foley, Paul Tormay, Stephen Reddy, Martin Barrett, Stevie McManus, Liam Ferguson, Cormac Keegan, Seamus Mattimoe, Robert Flanagan, Keith Reilly and Oisin Reilly will have to be on top of their game to see off their neighbours.

Ballinlough more than held their own after promotion from the Intermediate ranks in 2014. The North Meath club ended up been the only team to have beaten Navan O'Mahony's in championship football last year. Junior Reilly was the hero for the 'Lough' that night in Athboy. Tom Shine's charges will have to plan without former Meath star Peadar Byrne and Cian Mallon on the day but they still have players like Benji Smith, Lorcan Maguire, Johnnie Reilly, the McCullen brothers, Ronan McGuinness, the Geraghty brothers and Kevin Devine that are more than able to hold their own.

Since promotion to the top tier in the league Gaeil Colmcille have been flying with six points from a possible eight. Their last game was an impressive 1-17 to 0-4 win over St Pats while their only defeat came at the hands of league leaders Donaghmore Ashbourne. Ballinlough got relegated from the top flight last year and their form in Division two has been reasonable so far with five points from four outings, their only defeat coming in the round 4 game at home to Rathkenny.

Match odds - Gaeil Colmcille 1/2 Draw 7/1 Ballinlough 2/1

Outright odds - Gaeil Colmcille 20/1 Ballinlough 66/1

Verdict: Gaeil Colmcille

Navan O'Mahonys v Moynalvey Sunday at 4.00pm in Trim. Referee David Coldrick

Reigning champions Navan O'Mahony's head to Loman's Park to take on Moynalvey.

Since going up senior in 2012 Moynalvey have more than held their own. Last year they recorded that first historic win over neighbours Summerhill in the second round at Trim. Mark O'Sullivan has been in inspired form this year so far in the All County League. County seniors Padraic Harnan  and Cillian O'Sullivan along with Anthony Forde, Cathal McCabe, David McLoughlin, The Donoghues and Shane Lenehan have more than enough talent to trouble the champions.

Once again Navan O'Mahony's are the team to beat. The incentive of a three in a row will be a big driving force for Davy Nelson and his charges. Shane Gillespie, Darragh Smyth, James O'Reilly, Alan Forde, Marcus Brennan, Gary O'Brien, Niall McKeigue, Stephen MacGabhann, Shane Crosby, Cormac McGuinness, Jake Regan, David Bray, Kevin Reilly, Ruairi O'Coileain, Stephen Bray, Brian Dillon and co will be looking to get their campaign off to a winning start.

Both clubs have shown fine form in the league. O'Mahonys are unbeaten and are in a share of second spot in Division 1 with six points out of four outings with two wins and two draws while Moynalvey have gathered five points from their four outings in Division 2.

Match odds - Navan O'Mahony's 1/6 Draw 12/1 Moynalvey 4/1

Outright odds - Navan O'Mahony's 11/8  Moynalvey 40/1

Verdict: O'Mahony's

Summerhill v Ratoath on Sunday at 4.30pm in Dunshaughlin. Referee Patrick Nelis

Ratoath's first ever venture into Meath senior club football begins on Sunday. The Leinster Intermediate champions could not have asked for a tougher assignment than Keegan Cup winners in 2011 and 2013 Summerhill.

Summerhill were dumped out of last year's championship by Navan O'Mahonys at the quarter final stage. Declan McCabe has left as manager to fill the role as Meath senior selector, with John Lyons taking over in the hot seat. A bit like Wolfe Tones and Seneschalstown, Summerhill still have the players to win another senior championship. Conor Gillespie will be a massive loss but with the experience of Tony McDonnell, David Dalton, Caolan Young, Michael Byrne, David Larkin, Stephen Husband, Willie Ryan, Richie Hatton and Brian Ennis along with the youth of the Ryan twins Ross and Ronan, Iarla Hughes, Kevin Ryan and Barry Dardis, they will be a force to be reckoned with if they make the knock out stages.

Ratoath's rise to the top was completed last year in fine style. The Mattie McDonnell Cup was won with little fuss and Athlone were defeated in the Leinster Club final to complete a memorable year. It's a squad that has plenty of pace and ability. The Rooney's Conor and Gareth, Brian Power, Bobby O'Brien, Joey and Eamonn Wallace, Gavin McGowan, Bryan McMahon, Shane Duffy, Darragh and Conor McGill and Cian O'Brien will ask serious questions of Summerhill.

Summerhill have five points out of eight in the Division 1 league with two wins a draw and a loss. Their last outing was against newly promoted St Colmcilles and the Hill recorded a comfortable 2-15 to 0-8 win. Ratoath are flying high at the top of Division 2. They share that position with Rathkenny and Ballinabrackey with three wins from four outings. St Michaels were easily dispatched in their last round 3-15 to 0-10. Their only loss was to Rathkenny and the Intermediate champions have scored 13 goals in those four outings.

Match odds - Ratoath Evs Draw 13/2 Summerhill Evs

Outright odds - Ratoath 8/1 Summerhill 10/1

Verdict: Summerhill

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